Alberta backs Coaldale’s push to reduce RCMP costs
COALDALE, AB – The Government of Alberta says it is unfair that Coaldale is the only community of its size in the country that pays for 100% of its policing costs.
In May 2022, Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn explained to LNN that the town is currently subject to the “New Entrant Guidelines” (NEG) for RCMP services, meaning the municipality has to pay the entire bill.
Other communities with a population between 5,000 and 14,999 only have to cover 70% of the cost of RCMP services, while the federal government picks up the other 30%.
Coaldale RCMP was officially formed in 2016 with the signing of its current contract. It was then, under previous town leadership, that the NEG was implemented.